Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Why should a technician avoid wearing the same clothing from the animal facility outside of work?

1. To maintain a professional appearance

2. To reduce wear and tear on clothing

3. To reduce the possibility of spreading infections

4. To prevent allergies

The correct answer is: To reduce the possibility of spreading infections

A technician should avoid wearing the same clothing from the animal facility outside of work primarily to reduce the possibility of spreading infections. Work environments that involve animals can harbor various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which could be inadvertently transferred to other locations. By changing out of facility-specific clothing, technicians minimize the risk of carrying these pathogens into public spaces or other settings, thereby protecting both their own health and the health of others in the community. Maintaining a professional appearance is important, but it is not the foremost reason in this context. While reducing wear and tear on clothing is a practical consideration, it does not address health and safety concerns. Additionally, preventing allergies may be relevant in some cases but does not specifically relate to the broader risk of infection control that arises from handling animals in a facility. Thus, prioritizing infection prevention is the critical rationale for this practice.